Thank You For Standing With Us

The following is my latest column in The Jewish Link of Bergen County, in which I note that those elected officials that did speak out in the 18 days following the abduction of the 3 Israeli boys deserve our gratitude for standing with us during a very trying time:

 

THANK YOU FOR STANDING WITH US

 

By: N. Aaron Troodler, Esq.

 
There has been much discussion about the reaction, or, in some instances, the lack thereof, of our elected officials following the abduction of Eyal Yifrach, Gilad Shaar, and Naftali Frenkel. Although news of their tragic deaths earlier this week at the hands of terrorists who carried out a senseless and barbaric act of violence was met with virtual widespread condemnation, there were elected officials who were notably silent in the eighteen days following their abduction. Some of those who represent us in Washington were very vocal about the kidnappings, while others failed to address the issue completely.
 
Those that did speak about the horrific crime that occurred certainly deserve our thanks and our heartfelt gratitude. We sometimes assume that our elected officials will stand with Israel and the Jewish community at all times. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. However, when there are elected officials that display courage by standing in solidarity with the Jewish State and with our community in trying times, it is incumbent upon us to acknowledge their actions and thank them accordingly.
 
To that end, here is a compilation of statements from some prominent elected officials from New Jersey and New York about the kidnappings prior to learning about the boys’ heartbreaking deaths, some of which were made in the form of a press release and some which were made via Twitter. While others remained silent, these individuals spoke out. We should take some time to say “thank you” to our friends.
 
U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) – June 19:
 
“Our hearts go out to the families of the kidnapped teens and the horror that they are living through right now. I offer my support to the Israeli leaders who are working around the clock to bring the teenagers home safely.
 
“This is an act of terror, perpetrated by those who reject negotiations, reject a two-state solution, support violence, and use terror as a political tactic. This situation is a direct outgrowth of President Abbas’ attempt to cozy up with a terrorist organization.
 
“That said, I am pleased that Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Abbas are in communication, and that Abbas has pledged cooperation and security coordination with Israel on expeditiously locating the missing teens and bringing the perpetrators of this heinous crime to justice. And I am encouraged that President Abbas has rightly condemned this act.
 
“Naftali, Gilad and Eyal belong with their families and each day they are separated is a day of unending suffering. I pray for their speedy return home.”
 
U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) – June 16:
 
“Monitoring tragic kidnapping of 3 students in Israel - hoping for swift and safe return 2 families: #bringbackourboys”
 
U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) – June 16:
 
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the three Israeli teenagers, including an American citizen, kidnapped last week. Reports have indicated that Hamas, a known terrorist organization, is involved in their disappearance. I strongly condemn this heinous act and urge the United States government to provide any available resources to assist in their safe return.”
 
U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ-06) – June 20:
 
“The entire nation is devastated by the news that three Israeli teens were kidnapped last week. My thoughts and prayers go out to the families of Eyal Yifrach, Gilad Shaar and Naftali Fraenkel. It is my hope that these families will soon be reunited.
 
“I encourage the U.S. Department of State to continue offering their full support to Israel in the search for these missing teenagers. I am certain that the United States will continue to gather information on this tragedy, so that the perpetrators can be brought to justice.”
 
U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ-04) – June 16:
 
“My heart and prayers go out to these three young men and to their family and friends. The young men are the victims of a horrendous crime – a crime Prime Minister Netanyahu has attributed to the Hamas terrorist movement. The fact that other terrorist groups are themselves claiming ‘credit’ for such a sick action shows the strength of the anti-Semitic poison circulating in the Middle East and elsewhere.
 
“The United States should stand publicly and vocally in solidarity with these suffering families. I urge President Obama to personally ensure that our government offers Israel any assistance it requests.”
 
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) – June 18:
 
“My prayers are with the three young men kidnapped in Israel, including Naftali Frenkel, who is an American citizen; as a parent, I can’t begin to imagine what their families are going through. It is essential that the Palestinian government first, denounce this horrible act, and second demand from Hamas that the boys be immediately released. We will continue keep the heat on our government, and do all we can to bring pressure to bear on the Palestinian Authority until we get a positive resolution of this situation.”
 
U.S. Rep. Eliot L. Engel (D-NY-16) – June 24:
 
“We in the United States are saying, as people are saying all over the world, ‘Bring our boys home.’ And they’re our boys—they are everybody’s boys. This is a parent’s worst nightmare, and as long as we don’t do anything to combat terror, we are in essence condoning terror.
 
“The Palestinians must understand that they will never get their state built on the backs of terror. In fact, it will set them back. They will not get their state if they think that terror or kidnapping young boys is the way to achieve political goals.
 
“This again could be anyone’s son – anyone’s. All of us who are parents, people who are not parents, just imagine when you kiss your child goodbye, he goes to school, and you think he’s coming back and then suddenly he doesn’t come back. It’s every parent’s worst nightmare. So it’s very, very important that we have demonstrations all over the world until those boys are brought safely home.
 
“The United States and Congress stands with these boys and with their families and we will not stop until these boys are returned safely to their families. And those who perpetrated this heinous crime will be brought to justice. We will track them down. We will work with our Israeli allies and partners, and track them down. People who use terror as a political means will never succeed because we are determined.
 
“Right now, the first thing we need is let’s bring our boys home. Three wonderful boys, one of whom, as you know, is an American citizen. But it really transcends any kind of nationality. Because again, as the aunt to one of these boys says, this could happen to anyone and it is every parent’s nightmare. So let’s bring our boys home.”
 
U.S. Rep. Nita M. Lowey (D-NY-17) – June 17:

“My thoughts are with the three Israeli teenagers who were kidnapped in the West Bank last week, and I pray for their safe and swift release. My thoughts and prayers are also with their families, including Naftali Fraenkel’s extended family living in Monsey in my Congressional district. I join the Administration in offering our full support for Israel as they work day and night to rescue the missing teens and to bring the captors to justice.

“Kidnappings and other forms of terrorism, especially involving children, have no place in decent, civilized societies. I call upon President Abbas to demonstrate his adherence to peace and security, address the allegations of Hamas’ involvement, and fully cooperate with Israeli authorities to ensure the boys’ safe return home.”

U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY-06) – June 18:

“The kidnapping of three Israeli teenagers is outrageous and unacceptable, and I condemn it in the strongest possible terms. I demand that the perpetrators of this despicable crime release these innocent teens at once.

“My heart aches for the three young men and their families and I ask all Americans to pray for their safe and speedy return.”

U.S. Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY-04) – June 18:

“I join with many Americans in expressing outrage over this cowardly act. I urge Palestinian officials to do all they can to secure the release of these three kidnapped Israeli teenagers. I pray for their swift release. No trust can be established between the Israelis and the Palestinians if some in the Palestinian community resort to violence.”

U.S. Rep. Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY-05) – June 18:

“Today, I add my voice to those in Israel, the United States and around the world who are calling for the immediate and safe release of Naftali Fraenkel, a dual Israeli-American citizen, Gilad Shaar; and Eyal Yifrach, three West Bank yeshiva students kidnapped on their way home six days ago. As a parent, I can’t imagine the anxiety and fear that the families of these young men must be enduring. These innocent teens must be set free and returned to their families now. Let no stone be unturned. Kidnapping of these youngsters is a provocation against the peace process which also undermines the credibility and sincerity of the Palestinian reconciliation government. Those responsible for their abduction must be held accountable.”

U.S. Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY-07) – June 18:

“The 3 kidnapped young Israelis and their families are in all our thoughts. Praying for Eyal, Gilad and Naftali’s safe return.”

U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY-08) – June 17:

“Pray for the safe return of Naftali, Eyal and Gilad from their captors in the West Bank.”

U.S. Rep. Steve Israel (D-NY-03) – June 18:

“Thoughts are with the families of the kidnapped Israeli teens and I condemn this cowardly act by terrorists.”

U.S. Rep. Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY-09 – June 17:

“On behalf of myself and the people of the Ninth Congressional District of New York, I extend prayers and support for the expedited and safe return of Gilad Shaar, Eyal Yifrah, and Naftali Fraenkel, each of whom have family members here in our Brooklyn community. I share the concerns of the families and community leadership here in the United States, as well as, in Israel that their abrupt and unexplained disappearance is part of an attempt to threaten the security of an entire nation and I condemn in the strongest terms the kidnapping of these three teenagers last week. Furthermore, I add my voice in condemning those responsible for this act of terrorism, which Secretary of State Kerry said that ‘many indications (are) pointing to the involvement of Hamas.’ With President Obama, Secretary of State Kerry, my colleagues in Congress, and people of good will from around the world, I pledge my support to the effort to secure the safe return of Gilad Shaar, Eyal Yifrah, and Naftali Fraenkel to their loved ones.”

U.S. Rep. Michael G. Grimm (R-NY-11) – June 17:

“My heart goes out to the families of the three young Jewish boys kidnapped in the West Bank last week and I pray for their immediate release and safe return to their homes…especially 16 year old Naftali Frenkel, a U.S. citizen with broad family ties in Brooklyn. I hope that all of my colleagues will join me in offering the Israeli government our strong support in the rescue of these young men and also reiterate our firm commitment to Israel’s right to defend its people from this kind of condemnable terrorism and intimidation.”

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo – June 17:

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the three kidnapped Israeli teenagers. Hoping for their safe and swift return.”

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio – June 16:

“My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the three missing Israeli teenagers. May they come home safely – and soon.”

N. Aaron Troodler is an attorney and principal of Paul Revere Public Relations, a public relations and political consulting firm. Visit him on the Web at TroodlersTake.blogspot.com, www.PaulReverePR.com, or www.JewishWorldPR.com. You can also follow him on Twitter: @troodler

My op-ed in The Jewish Press about the murder of the 3 young Israeli boys

The following is an op-ed that I wrote, which appeared in The Jewish Press, in which I talk about the heinous murder of the 3 young Israeli boys and the unity that we witnessed during this terrible ordeal:

THE BEAUTY OF JEWISH UNITY

 

By: N. Aaron Troodler, Esq.

 

It could have been our child. When 19-year-old Eyal Yifrach, 16-year-old Gilad Shaar and 16-year-old Naftali Frenkel were abducted as they waited for a ride to take them home to their families for Shabbat after spending a week studying at their yeshivot, we were all shaken. Every one of us felt that a piece of our heart and soul had been taken away by the terrorists who snatched the three innocent teenage students. As we watched the parents of the boys speak out publicly about their sons’ kidnapping, we all thought the same thing – that could have been us. And when we learned of the boys’ tragic fate earlier this week, we grieved alongside their families and felt their pain.

 

Historically, in times of crisis, Jews have generally come together. Irrespective of where any particular person is on the religious spectrum, we as a people band together when faced with a challenging situation. Religious and political ideologies are often laid aside when confronted with a trying set of circumstances, such as the one that we are grappling with now.

 

We remember all too well the torment we endured when Gilad Shalit was taken captive. After he was abducted by Hamas and then spent five years in captivity, we came together as a people. We prayed for his return and we suffered together with his parents until he was finally reunited with his family.

 

The situation we found ourselves dealing with over the past several weeks is equally as trying, and perhaps even more so. The boys who were abducted and then brutally murdered were not soldiers; they were students. They could have been our students.

 

Nothing is more precious to us than our children. We raise them, we nurture them, we educate them, and we love them. We would do anything to protect them. By grabbing Eyal, Gilad and Naftali and killing them in a cowardly and barbaric fashion, Hamas demonstrated the despicable depths to which they will sink to terrorize the State of Israel and the Jewish nation. The heartless and heinous kidnapping and murder that was perpetrated by Hamas is a sobering reminder that the terrorists will do anything in their power to strike at the very essence of the Jewish people.

 

And yet, despite the odious nature of this terrorist act, we refuse to let it break our spirit. We as Jews respond to a crisis and a tragedy the only way we know how – together.

 

Before we learned of their tragic death, Jews throughout the world took to the various social media platforms to raise awareness of the boys’ plight and the horrific act that turned our worlds upside down. #BringBackOurBoys and #EyalGiladNaftali were trending on Twitter. There was an outpouring of support from people around the world for the boys and widespread sympathy for the anguish that their families feel. We all talked about the need to bring back not the boys, but our boys.

 

As Jews, we also did what we should always do when confronted with an urgent situation such as this – we prayed. People across the globe gathered for prayer vigils and to recite Psalms in communal gatherings. We joined together to cry out and appeal for the swift and safe return of our boys.

 

Eyal, Gilad and Naftali may not have been our biological children, but they were our boys. They were young, innocent students who merited our full support and deserved our unconditional love and concern.

 

As the parent of a daughter, who, like Gilad and Naftali is 16-years-old, and who spent this year studying at a high school in Israel, this episode hit especially close to home. When she returns to Israel in the fall to begin another school year there, the abduction and murder of the three boys will be foremost in my mind.

 

I will be thinking about it not because I am in any way worried about my daughter, but because I understand that the fact that she wants to be in Israel and go to school there is proof that the terrorists cannot and will not win. There will always be young men and women, families, and seniors who want to travel to Israel, to be a part of Israel, and to live in Israel. That unquenchable desire to be in Israel is a testament to the resiliency that we have as a people and the undying love that we have for the Jewish State.

 

The Jewish unity that has been on full display during this terrible ordeal is a thing of sheer beauty. The torment that the Yifrach, Shaar, and Frenkel families have endured is unimaginable. Yet, despite Hamas’ evil intentions and monstrous actions, they have unintentionally caused Jews from all walks of life to come together. We tried to do everything in our power to bring our boys home, and now that they are gone, we continue to stand united with the victims’ families and we voice our collective outrage at the vicious terrorist act that claimed their lives.

 

We are one nation and one family. The tragic loss of Eyal, Gilad and Naftali is felt by each and every one of us. We will not rest until our boys’ killers are brought to justice and held accountable for their unspeakable crime.

 

N. Aaron Troodler is an attorney and principal of Paul Revere Public Relations, a public relations and political consulting firm. Visit him on the Web at TroodlersTake.blogspot.com, www.PaulReverePR.com, or www.JewishWorldPR.com. You can also follow him on Twitter: @troodler

 

The Beauty of Jewish Unity

The following is my latest column in The Jewish Link of Bergen County, in which I extol the virtues of Jewish unity and discuss how it is on full display in the aftermath of the kidnapping of three Israeli teenagers:

 

THE BEAUTY OF JEWISH UNITY

 

By: N. Aaron Troodler, Esq.

 

It could have been our child. When 19-year-old Eyal Yifrach, 16-year-old Gilad Shaar and 16-year-old Naftali Frenkel were abducted as they waited for a ride to take them home to their families for Shabbat after spending a week studying at their yeshivot, we were all shaken. Every one of us felt that a piece of our heart and soul had been taken away by the terrorists who snatched the three innocent teenage students. As we watched the parents of the boys speak out publicly about their sons’ kidnapping, we all thought the same thing – that could have been us.

 

Historically, in times of crisis, Jews have generally come together. Irrespective of where any particular person is on the religious spectrum, we as a people band together when faced with a challenging and trying situation. Religious and political ideologies are often laid aside when confronted with an emergency situation, such as the one that we are grappling with now.

 

We remember all too well the torment we endured when Gilad Shalit was taken captive. After he was abducted by Hamas and then spent five years in captivity, we came together as a people. We prayed for his return and we suffered together with his parents until he was finally reunited with his family.

 

The situation we find ourselves in now is equally as trying, and perhaps even more so. The boys who were abducted are not soldiers; they are students. They could have been our students.

 

Nothing is more precious to us than our children. We raise them, we nurture them, we educate them, and we love them. We would do anything to protect them. By grabbing Eyal, Gilad and Naftali, Hamas demonstrated the despicable depths to which they will sink to terrorize the State of Israel and the Jewish nation. The heartless and heinous kidnapping that was perpetrated by Hamas is a sobering reminder that the terrorists will do anything in their power to strike at the very essence of the Jewish people.

 

And yet, despite the odious nature of this terrorist act, we refuse to let it break our spirit. We as Jews respond to a crisis the only way we know how – together.

 

Jews throughout the world took to the various social media platforms to raise awareness of the boys’ plight and the horrific act that turned our worlds upside down. #BringBackOurBoys and #EyalGiladNaftali were trending on Twitter. There was an outpouring of support from people around the world for the boys and widespread sympathy for the anguish that their families feel. We all talked about the need to bring back not the boys, but our boys.

 

As Jews, we also did what we should always do when confronted with an urgent situation such as this – we prayed. People across the globe gathered for prayer vigils and to recite Psalms in communal gatherings. We joined together to cry out and appeal for the swift and safe return of our boys.

 

Eyal, Gilad and Naftali may not be our biological children, but they are our boys. They are young, innocent students who merit our full support and deserve our unconditional love and concern.

 

As the parent of a daughter, who, like Gilad and Naftali is 16-years-old, and who spent this year studying at a high school in Israel, this episode hit especially close to home. When she returns to Israel in the fall to begin another school year there, the abduction of the three boys will be foremost in my mind.

 

I will be thinking about it not because I am in any way worried about my daughter, but because I understand that the fact that she wants to be in Israel and go to school there is proof that the terrorists cannot and will not win. There will always be young men and women, families, and seniors who want to travel to Israel, to be a part of Israel, and to live in Israel. That unquenchable desire to be in Israel is a testament to the resiliency that we have as a people and the undying love that we have for the Jewish State.

 

The Jewish unity that has been on full display during this terrible ordeal is a thing of sheer beauty. The torment that Eyal, Gilad and Naftali and their families are going through is unimaginable. Yet, despite Hamas’ evil intentions and monstrous actions, they have unintentionally caused Jews from all walks of life to come together to do everything in our power to bring our boys home.

 

We are one nation and one family. The safety and well-being of Eyal, Gilad and Naftali is of paramount concern to each and every one of us. We will not rest until our boys are home.

 

N. Aaron Troodler is an attorney and principal of Paul Revere Public Relations, a public relations and political consulting firm. Visit him on the Web at TroodlersTake.blogspot.com, www.PaulReverePR.com, or www.JewishWorldPR.com. You can also follow him on Twitter: @troodler

 

Giving The Palestinians Yet Another Pass

The following is my latest column in The Jewish Link of Bergen County, in which I question the United States’ perplexing decision to work with the new unity government that was formed by the Palestinian Authority and the terrorist organization Hamas:

 

Giving The Palestinians Yet Another Pass

 

By: N. Aaron Troodler, Esq.

 

Diplomacy is a complex exercise. Decisions made in the context of a diplomatic situation are often fraught with challenges and the implications of a determination that eventually proves to be erroneous could be dire.

 

One such diplomatic decision that very well may have lasting repercussions is the United States’ perplexing pronouncement that it is willing to work with the new unity government that has been formed by the Palestinian Authority and Hamas.

 

Hamas and its terrorist tendencies are well known to the United States and to the world. As a terrorist organization that openly calls for the obliteration of the State of Israel and relishes the opportunity to perpetrate deadly acts of terror against innocent civilians, Hamas’ involvement in a unity government with Fatah is particularly troubling. With its violent background and detestable views towards the Israel and the Jewish nation, any government that includes Hamas as a partner should be shunned by the international community. Yet, the United States somehow concluded that it makes diplomatic sense to give Hamas a chance. As Israel’s leaders rushed to decry the new unity government, the United States rushed to embrace it.

 

What makes the United States’ decision so much more disconcerting is that it reportedly informed Israel that it would take a “wait and see” approach with the unity government, and then did an abrupt about-face, thereby paving the way for the European Union and the United Nations to also indicate a willingness to accept the unity government.

 

How is it that the United States was fooled so easily? Although Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas and the Fatah leadership are quick to note that none of the initial members of the new government are part of Hamas, we all know who is pulling the strings in this puppet show. Moreover, when there are elections for the new unity government, who is to say that Hamas won’t step in and assert its power in order to secure the governmental seats that it covets?

 

Just as the world would certainly not recognize nor collaborate with a government that was established and openly supported by a terrorist group such as Al Qaeda, so too the international community should not accept a government in which Hamas plays a vital role.

 

It is important to recognize that a terrorist in a business suit is still a terrorist. Members of Hamas will continue to harbor extreme animosity towards Israel, regardless of whether they are part of a governing body or building bombs in an explosives factory. These are the same people that celebrated the recent abduction of three Israeli students in a tasteless and appalling display of callous indifference as the boys’ families and an entire nation were forced to endure indescribable pain and anguish.

 

And what about Mahmoud Abbas and the Palestinian Authority? Why is it that they continually get a pass from the United States after repeatedly taking steps that run counter to Israel’s best interests?

 

The decision by Abbas to embrace Hamas is an affront not just to Israel, but to the entire diplomatic community, and I believe that there must be consequences for having made that choice. Once again, Mahmoud Abbas has thumbed his nose at the United States and at the peace process, but the ramifications do not appear to be forthcoming.

 

It is time for Abbas to face the music for his actions. Even after Abbas defied the United States’ wishes and unilaterally went to the United Nations in an effort to achieve statehood, there was no diminution in U.S. aid to the Palestinian Authority. Following Abbas’ decision to walk away from the peace process, there were no consequences. Although Abbas has funneled money received from the United States and intended for foreign aid to the families of terrorists who murdered Israelis, there have been no penalties imposed on him.

 

Now that Abbas has embraced Hamas and empowered them, it is incomprehensible that the United States would once again proceed without duly castigating him. It is time for the United States to stand up to Mahmoud Abbas and penalize him accordingly. For example, if Congress was to immediately defund the Palestinian Authority, it would send a clear message that embracing Hamas and endorsing their terrorist ways has grave ramifications. In fact, the language in the United States’ annual appropriations bills, which restricts the delivery of financial aid to the Palestinian Authority in the event that there is a power-sharing government between the Palestinian Authority and Hamas, seems to inherently preclude the United States from continuing to fund them with hundreds of millions of dollars each year.

 

And let us not forget for a moment where some of the American dollars flowing into the Palestinian Authority ultimately end up. It is inconceivable that the United States would keep sending hundreds of millions of dollars each year to the Palestinian Authority so that it can continue perpetuating incitement through its hate-based educational curriculum and providing a safe haven for terrorists who it celebrates as heroes.

 

The United States should reconsider its decision to take a “wait and see” approach with the unity government, and instead issue a swift condemnation of this deadly union with a dangerous terrorist organization. With its track record of murder and mayhem, Hamas is not worthy of the United States’ trust, nor does any government with which Hamas is associated deserve the United States’ backing.

 

I hope that the United States will see through the façade that has been created by Hamas and take the necessary steps to protect the people of Israel, and not the people who want to destroy Israel.

 

N. Aaron Troodler is an attorney and principal of Paul Revere Public Relations, a public relations and political consulting firm. Visit him on the Web at TroodlersTake.blogspot.com, www.PaulReverePR.com, or www.JewishWorldPR.com. You can also follow him on Twitter: @troodler

 

Omitting The Obvious

The following is my latest column in The Jewish Link of Bergen County, in which I discuss the most recent hurdle encountered by Governor Chris Christie on his way to the White House – yet another Israel gaffe:

 

OMITTING THE OBVIOUS

 

By: N. Aaron Troodler, Esq.

 

For Chris Christie, it was a chance at redemption. After his last big appearance at a Jewish event ended in controversy following his utilization of a provocative term to describe the Judea and Samaria region in Israel, the New Jersey Governor and Republican presidential hopeful was expected to make amends when he took to the podium as a featured speaker at yet another high-profile Jewish affair.

 

The posh awards dinner in Manhattan for The Values Network, which was founded by Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, featured an array of impressive guests and speakers. Among those in attendance was Republican mega-donor Sheldon Adelson, Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel, actor Sean Penn, Texas Governor Rick Perry, Israel’s Ambassador to the United States Ron Dermer, Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz, and Jewish philanthropist and Birthright founder Michael Steindhardt.

 

The event was a perfect opportunity for Chris Christie to prove that his “occupied territories” gaffe was an anomaly and that his support for Israel is strong and unwavering.

 

Yet, when Governor Christie delivered his remarks in a speech that was laden with foreign policy references, he inexplicably left out a key word that left the crowd scratching their heads in bewilderment and wondering what had just happened.

 

Throughout his 16-minute speech, Christie did not mention the word “Israel” once. At no time during his remarks did he directly refer to the Jewish State by name.

 

Consider the implications of Chris Christie’s decision. This well-publicized gala was widely perceived as a pro-Israel event. The crowd in attendance was overwhelmingly pro-Israel. In fact, the public relations firm that promoted the “Champions of Jewish Values International Awards Gala” for The Values Network in advance of the event declared that Christie would deliver a “major speech on Israel and the Middle East.”

 

Despite that, in what could only be described as an enigmatic decision, Christie concluded that not specifically referencing Israel was somehow a good idea.

 

Christie’s glaring omission became even more evident after Rick Perry, another Republican governor that is angling for the GOP presidential nod, delivered an impassioned address that invoked Israel at every turn. Governor Perry talked about his numerous trips to Israel, empathically stated that the United States must renew its commitment to a strong Israel, and noted that Israel has a right to exist as a Jewish state.

 

The road to the White House is inevitably replete with pitfalls. With the spotlight of the world illuminating their every move, presidential candidates will unquestionably stumble and fall on occasion.

 

Often, the hurdles that cause presidential candidates to falter are complex public policy issues that prove to be challenging to navigate successfully. Yet, seldom does a presidential candidate trip and fall over an issue that on its face appears to be a no-brainer.

 

To be clear, I am not questioning Chris Christie’s position on Israel. As I wrote after his blunder at the Republican Jewish Coalition’s Annual Spring Conference in Las Vegas, that troubling incident was in no way evidence that Christie is anti-Israel; rather, it demonstrated that he needs to be better prepared.

 

In my opinion, the same statement holds true today. Chris Christie’s bizarre choice to omit the word “Israel” from his recent speech was both curious and confounding, but it is not indicative of how he feels about the Jewish State. What Christie’s latest faux pas does is call into question the Governor’s judgment and his readiness to step out onto the national stage.

 

No one can honestly tell me that leaving Israel out of a speech to a pro-Israel crowd at a pro-Israel event is a good idea. I doubt that anyone can convince me that it makes any sense whatsoever.

 

In the aftermath of Governor Christie’s recent address, one of his closest friends and top political advisers, Bill Palatucci, was quoted in the Wall Street Journal as saying that when it comes to Israel, Christie has a strong record of support. “He’s well known to be supportive,” said Palatucci. “He doesn’t need to wear it on his sleeve every time he’s in front of a Jewish group.”

 

There is some truth to that statement. As Jews, we certainly do not need to be pandered to by every politician who is seeking our support. However, there is a big difference between Chris Christie “wearing his support for Israel on his sleeve” and sidestepping the topic altogether. There is a happy medium, but Governor Christie has apparently not yet come to that realization.

 

A word of advice to Governor Christie: in the future, when addressing a pro-Israel crowd, do not ignore Israel. In this instance, omitting the obvious was not a prudent political approach.

 

N. Aaron Troodler is an attorney and principal of Paul Revere Public Relations, a public relations and political consulting firm. Visit him on the Web at TroodlersTake.blogspot.com, www.PaulReverePR.com, or www.JewishWorldPR.com. You can also follow him on Twitter: @troodler

 

Where In The World Is Chris Christie?

The following is my latest column in The Jewish Link of Bergen County, in which I delve into New Jersey Governor Chris Christie’s frequent out of state travel and discuss how it impacts his ability to lead the Garden State:

Where In The World Is Chris Christie?

By: N. Aaron Troodler, Esq.

When voters in the Garden State overwhelmingly elected Chris Christie to a second term last November, they did so presumably because they thought that he was the best person to lead New Jersey into the future. They ostensibly believed that Governor Christie would demonstrate the same leadership qualities and focus on New Jersey that they felt he exhibited during his first term. Little did they know that Christie’s second term would be vastly different.

Let’s put Bridgegate, which has absolutely rocked the Christie administration since his reelection, on the back burner for the moment. Instead, let’s focus on the Governor’s attendance record.

As Chairman of the Republican Governors Association, Christie traverses the country on a regular basis in order to meet with key GOP personnel and raise funds for Republican candidates. And with his not so subtle presidential plans, Chris Christie’s travel activities have been occurring at a frenetic pace.

Over the past three months, Governor Christie has spent part or all of 25 days out of state, attending an array of political events aimed at bolstering his national image and positioning himself as a serious contender for the Republican nomination for president. Christie’s travels have taken him to Republican Governors Association events in Maine, Florida, Utah, Nevada, Michigan, and Georgia. He also attended the Conservative Political Action Conference in Maryland, the White House Correspondents’ Association Annual Dinner in Washington, DC, and the Republican Jewish Coalition Annual Spring Conference in Las Vegas.

An analysis by The New York Times in August 2013 found that Christie had been out of New Jersey at least 91 days over the past year, which equated to approximately 24% of the time. In response, John Currie, the Chairman of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee, offered a scathing critique of Christie’s absenteeism. “New Jersey voters deserve to know why their Governor has spent nearly 1 in 4 days of the last year outside New Jersey,” Currie said.

In March 2013, Barbara Buono, who was Christie’s opponent in the 2013 gubernatorial election, tried to make his seemingly incessant travel a campaign issue, noting that the Governor spent an inordinate amount of time out of state over the past two years.

In May 2012, The New Jersey Star-Ledger reported Christie had spent 54 days in the past eight months out of state.

Many of us remember Christie’s infamous Orlando vacation in December 2010, when he was mingling with Mickey Mouse at Disneyworld while New Jerseyans endured a brutal blizzard that crippled the Garden State.

To be fair, Chris Christie is not the first governor to spend a lot of time outside of his home state.

Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, who, like Chris Christie, is believed to have presidential aspirations, spent 86 days out of state in 2012, which equals approximately one out of every four days.

Mitt Romney, the 2012 Republican nominee for president, spent part or all of 417 days out of state during his four-year tenure as Governor of Massachusetts. In October 2006, then Governor Romney spent part or all of an astounding 25 days out of state.

In 2011, Texas Governor Rick Perry spent approximately 80 days away from his home state. To add insult to injury, from the time Perry announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for president on August 13, 2011 through January 2012 when he suspended his campaign, Texas taxpayers spent an astounding $3.6 million to provide security for Perry as he traveled around the country for his presidential run.

In a glaring contrast to Chris Christie’s globetrotting style, his counterpart on the other side of the Hudson River, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, rarely leaves his home state. Cuomo, who some have speculated may harbor presidential ambitions, has shunned the national spotlight, eschewed national media appearances, and foregone out of state vacations in favor of respites with his family in the Empire State. Andrew Cuomo’s actions send a clear message that he has a job to do in New York, and the national stage, which may indeed have a spot reserved for the popular governor, will just have to wait until he completes the task at hand.

Ancillary to Christie’s frequent out of state excursions is the issue of the cost of his trips. In fact, a reporter for the New Jersey Watchdog is currently suing the Governor in an attempt to obtain records from Christie’s office that would indicate who has paid for his outings and how much they cost.

The fact is that Chris Christie’s national ambitions should not come as a surprise. They were already apparent several years ago, which led the late Senator Frank Lautenberg to note in September 2012, that, “Governor Christie’s first priority is not New Jersey, his first priority is his national ambitions.”

The frequency of Christie’s trips outside of New Jersey is unquestionably a cause for concern. As he grapples with the recent downgrading of New Jersey’s debt and an additional $807 million budget shortfall, which brings the state’s total budget deficit to over $1 billion, it would behoove the Governor to put his out of state trips on hold and stick around for a while until he can properly address New Jersey’s budget woes and ensure that its fiscal situation is in order.

With his constant out of state travel, many New Jersey residents feel that they are the forgotten child and get the sense that their Governor leaves the issues that are important to New Jersey in the rearview mirror each and every time he leaves his home state.

When New Jersey voters reelected Chris Christie, they weren’t looking for a long distance relationship or an absentee governor. They were seeking someone to lead, not leave.

Where in the world is Chris Christie? Odds are, these days, it’s not in New Jersey.

Governor Christie, you need to come back home. I know the bright lights of the national stage are a big draw, but the fact is that you have a job to do in New Jersey.

N. Aaron Troodler is an attorney and principal of Paul Revere Public Relations, a public relations and political consulting firm. Visit him on the Web at TroodlersTake.blogspot.com, www.PaulReverePR.com, or www.JewishWorldPR.com. You can also follow him on Twitter: @troodler